GETTING YOUR KIDS THERE SAFELY: Tomkins Cove resident wins School Bus Association’s “Heart of the Industry Award”

Tanya Zitzelberger, a longtime employee of The Trans Group in Spring Valley, has received the prestigious “Heart of the Industry” award, presented annually by the New York School Bus Contractors Association (NYSBCA).

President of The Trans Group John Corr Jr. lauded Zitzelberger. He said, “Each year, the award is given to someone who has served the industry with distinction.  While Tanya works in our office and is not a school bus driver, her devotion and commitment to the industry is equally deserving of recognition, which is why she received the Heart of the Industry’s ‘Employee of the Year — Off Road’ award at the recent NYSBCA annual conference. She continually goes above and beyond what is expected in service to the thousands of school children who ride our buses daily.  Everyone at The Trans Group joins me in congratulating Tanya on this well-deserved honor.”

NYSBCA Executive Director Jennifer Hickey-Bruce agrees. She said, “Tanya is indispensable, especially when it comes to NYSBCA’s annual NYS School Bus Safety Competition. Almost 30 percent of our participants are from The Trans Group, which helps get the buses to the competition, supplies the mobile office, and assists throughout the event. Tanya is there for all of this, making sure her fellow employees are informed, organized, and professional during planning and participation. We couldn’t do it without her and I know The Trans Group feels the same way about Tanya’s many contributions.”

The Heart of the Industry Award Program was created on behalf of NYSBCA by Reichenbach Enterprises, which provides consulting services to area school bus companies. Headquartered in Spring Valley, New York, The Trans Group employs over 1,700 individuals and is comprised of 11 school and public transit operations serving lower New York State and Long Island. The company is actively involved in the school bus industry on a state and national level and is one of the state’s largest school and transit transportation companies.